Importance

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Abstract

A two-sided card laminating apparatus simultaneously applies and bonds laminate sheets to opposing faces of a two-sided card substrate. The apparatus includes two opposing laminating assemblies symmetrically mounted in mirror image relation on opposing sides of a substrate supply path. Individual sheets of laminate are cut from webs of lamina and transferred onto the card substrate at a convergence zone disposed on the substrate supply path. Each of the laminating assemblies includes a web of lamina, a cutter, and nip rollers disposed between the web and the cutter. The nip rollers advance the web in an upstream direction through the cutter into engagement with a transfer roller. As the laminate exits the cutter, the leading edge is captured between the outer surface of the transfer roller and a laminate guide where it is grabbed by the outer surface of the transfer roller. The outer surface of the transfer roller pulls the leading edge of the sheet of laminate in an upstream direction from the cutter toward the convergence zone. A transfer member disposed in the convergence zone strips the leading edge of the sheet of laminate from the outer surface of the transfer roller and transfers the sheet of laminate into overlying registration with the substrate as the substrate passes through the convergence zone. The substrate is transported along the substrate supply path through the convergence zone and between the two opposing heaters which symmetrically heat the card substrate to bond the laminate sheets to the card substrate.

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First Claim